Asian markets have made a negative start and all the counters were trading in red in holiday-affected session amid weakness in overseas markets and persisting geopolitical uncertainty, particularly involving the Korean Peninsula. Concerns have been growing about potential action by North Korea and the U.S. North Korean state media has warned that the government could use its national holiday on Saturday -- the birthday of the country’s founder, Kim II Sung -- to deliver a show of force. Meanwhile, Chinese stocks fell as speculative funds are rumored to be withdrawing from small caps, triggering broader selloff worries amid tightening regulatory pressure. Traders also continued over U.S. trade relations with Asian economies ahead of Vice President Mike Pence’s scheduled visit to the region next week.
Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore markets remained closed in observance of Good Friday.
Taiwan Weighted declined 89.63 points or 0.91% to 9,747.05, Nikkei 225 decreased 62.22 points or 0.34% to 18,364.62, Shanghai Composite shed 14.32 points or 0.44% to 3,261.64, KOSPI Index fell 12.5 points or 0.58% to 2,136.11 and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI was down by 5.04 points or 0.29% to 1,733.14.